Stress Test Devotional April 20
April 20, 2024
MATTHEW 22:41-46 | 41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: 42 “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, 44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’? 45 If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” 46 No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
MARK 1:32-34 | 32 That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many
demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak,
because they knew him.
I know of no instance where Jesus was defeated in debate. Nor was He ever defeated by temptation. In His confrontations with the evil one, He prevailed by casting out evil spirits and exposing falsehoods to the cleansing power of the truth. Yet in Holy Week there is a dramatic change. Lies triumph over truth and He refuses to debate malicious accusations. Love seems to be destroyed by hate, life by death.
And then Sunday comes and defeat turns into victory. It is the great reversal. The darkness on the cross, and the dark Saturday of silence and grief gives way to the light and joy of the third day, and Resurrection.
What has been your greatest victory over darkness?
Thank God for the power of love and truth and life to prevail.
